The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-01
DEATH OF RAYMOND BELMONT.
Son of the Well known Banker Accidental
ly Kills Himself in a Shooting Gallery.

New YORK, Jan. 31.-Word reached police
headquarters, at o'clock this morning, that
Raymond Belmont. son of August Belmont, the
wellknown banker, had shot himself. 1t was
impossible to learn at that hour whether or not
the young mans injuries likely to prove
fatal, but the police Immediately sent for
with his father, atNo. 105 Fifth avenue, and was
associated with the Belmont clearinghouse at
No. II Pine street In the evening Raymond
went out to dinner. He returned shortly before
i o'clock this morning With him was Leonard
Behr anight watchman with whom young Ray
mond was we'll acquainted, and who frequently
accompanied him home. They went down to the
basement, where there was a shooting gallery
in which young Belmont, who was very expert
shot. frequently p1acticed. Hefe he also had
revolvers and guns. AS they entered the room,
young Belmont picked up double acting Smith
81 Wesson pearl-handed revolver, of 32-calibre,
and, turning to Behr, said: Now, want you
to 90 and hold up gold collar button in your
hand, and / will shoot it out" Behr, who
had frequently seen the young man
shoot and had great confidence in
him, at once agreed to do this. Before
taking up his position, however, young Belmont
turned to him and sad "Oh, first close al, the
doors so that the report may not alarm father,
who is mp stairs" Thereupon Behr walked over
to door and had just put his hand upon it whom
he heard the report of the pistol. Turning at
once he saw young Belmont falling to the floor,
blood gushing from wound in the right side of
his head.
s.My God, Raymond" he cried, ''what have
you done" He leaned over the young man, who
opened his eyes, and, looking at him. tried to
speak, but could not. AS Behr looked at him,
he closed his eyes and was unconscious. Behr
aroused august Belneat, tho young mans faith
er, who alone in the house. The watchman
was sent for DR.. Polk, the family physician, and
in few moments he was at the young mans
bed side, with two other physicians They tried
to resuscitate the young man, but failed He
died soon after the bullet entered his brain.
Coroner Eidman and his deputy were notified
They found that the bullet had passed clear
through the skull, entering the right side of the
head, and coming out at the left The watch
man said the shooting was accidental, but tie
coroner said all the indications pointed to sui
eide. 1t was evident that young Belmont had
taken considable wine with his dinner
Mrs. Belmont is in Washington, with Con-
gresham Perry Belmont She was notified by
telegraph this morning.
Coroner Edman said that he had doubt
that the shooting of Raymond Belmont was due
TO the accidental discharge of the revolver. He
was called to the case early this morning, but,
as 1t rghtfu]ly belonged to his associate, Coro-
ner Nugent, he transferred the case to him. He
however, made some inquiries and acquainted
himself with facts sufficient, taken in connection
with ether circumstances, to feel assured that
the case was not one of suicide
The coroner will leave the question As to
whether the death was accidental or suicidal to
jury. Personally he Is convinced that the
shooting was accidental.